Fitness Tracker Earphones Gather Exercise Data

Finally, a design for a fitness sensor that doesn’t look like a wristband. The iriver ON earbuds from Valencell and iriver were introduced last week at CES.

The product is described as “the first Bluetooth audio headset powered by Valencell’s PerformTek Precision Biometrics, a licensable sensor technology.” It claims to accurately monitor more real-time physiological data than any other fitness tracker.

The device monitors the wearer’s heart rate, distance, speed, cadence, VO2 max (aerobic fitness level), and calories burned. iriver will also be launching its own complementary smartphone fitness app in conjunction with the product, which goes on sale worldwide in March at a retail price of $199. Valencell CEO and co-founder, Dr. Steven LeBoeuf, said:

We have been targeting licensees that fill key segments and distribution within the industry. Working with iriver is a tremendous opportunity for Valencell to associate with such a respected global brand. The mobile apps and product offerings that PerformTek Biometrics enables are virtually endless, and we are looking forward to seeing several PerformTek-powered fitness monitoring products and applications in the marketplace in 2013.